Correct Answer - Option 2 : Intensity of electric field
Concept:
Physical quantities are of two types:
| Scalar quantity |
Vector quantity |
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The quantities which require only the magnitude to specify them is called a scalar quantity.
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The quantities which require both magnitude and direction to specify them is called a vector quantity.
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Examples: Mass, Density, Volume, Energy, Speed, etc.
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Examples: Velocity, Displacement, Acceleration, Force, etc. |
Explanation:
Electric Field Intensity (E):
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The space around an electric charge in which its influence can be felt is known as the electric field.
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The electric field intensity at a point is the force experienced by a unit positive charge placed at that point.
- Electric Field Intensity is a vector quantity. It is denoted by ‘E’.
- Electric Field = F/q.
- Unit of E is NC-1 or Vm-1
Electrostatic energy and electrostatic potential are scalar quantities because it only requires magnitude and not the direction.
- In the case of electric current, when two currents meet at a junction, the resultant current of these will be an algebraic sum and not the vector sum.
- Therefore, an electric current is a scalar quantity although it possesses magnitude and direction.
